- The New York Times interviews up-and-coming fashion designer Christian Siriano.

- Marcus Jordan’s loyalty to Dad’s shoe brand causes University of Central Florida to lose it’s Adidas sponsorship (LA Times).

- In more positive Adidas news, Adidas has announced a plan to make €1 trainers in an effort to make affordable shoes available to those worldwide who would otherwise be without footwear (UK. Telegraph)

- Collections are ongoing through November 23rd for  Samaritan’s Purse:  “Operation Christmas Child“; a UK-based charity that collects Christmas gifts packed in shoe boxes to be shipped to children worldwide. Packages can be tracked online to their destination. Dropoff locations (By postal code) are available here.

- Jimmy Choo line goes on sale at select H&M retailers with some locations passing out wristbands in an effort to head off fights or violence. Shoes are already appearing at markup on online auction sites such as ebay - a predictable sign of the times. More here. (Market Watch, The Telegraph, NY Daily News & Shanghaist)

- It’s official, both the NY Times and Chicago Tribune are writing about this fall’s continuing women’s footwear trending toward ‘extreme shoes’; super high heels and statement shoes are still going strong.

- Minnesota-based shoe brand ‘Red Wings Shoes’ will be laying off 200 employees at Kentucky and Minnesota locations due to the continued economic downturn that continues to affect their blue-collar customer base (Kansas City Star).

- Popsugar has a chance to win a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes….all you have to do is be willing to sign up for shopstyle email alerts to be entered.

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Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but shoes are this girl’s real love. And, while I love ribbons, lace, and flowers on my shoes, today I am crushing on a pair of tuxedo pumps from Harajuku lovers.

Harajuku Lovers ‘Dobson’ $94 at Zappos.com

Do these have spunk and attitude?

Yes.

Are they fun and flirty?

Again, yes.

Do these beg to be center stage of your outfit?

No question.

Do I know exactly which little black dress I would pair with these?

Of course.

Now, if only I had a convenient occasion to wear that little black dress…..

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I have written about Steven Madden and it’s past licensing agreements. Steven Madden continues to expand, with a spike in third-quarter earnings, a new licensing agreement and an optimistic full-year outlook.  The firm last week announced a licensing deal to manufacture footwear for Olsenboye, a new line created by Dualstar Entertainment Group, the management firm of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, that will be available exclusively at select JCPenney stores this holiday. A full launch in 600 doors is set for spring. 

Currently there are three styles of Olsenboye on sale at JCP.

Sofia   On sale at JC Penny.com $35

Kaylee $30.00 at JCP

Hailey $60.00 at JCP

While these styles are nothing creative or outstanding however, they are competitively priced and meeting the needs of a range of incomes.  (I just read my earlier post, and realized I said the exact same thing.)  I have Monopoly money on Steven Madden and it is up 10 points since July.

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I was reading some financial reports and came across an article that describes a shoe design contest SOLE SEARCH sponsored by Zappos, Steven Madden and Brickfish.   Since I am a techno-dork I don’t understand Brickfish, but I do understand Zappos and Steven Madden. 

You are able to create a shoe from a template in the program, or upload a design of your own making.  Three lucky consumers, one selected from each of the entering categories, will be given the opportunity to pitch his or her shoe design to Steve Madden in NYC. Steve Madden will then select one of the three designs to be produced and sold online at Zappos.com/Steve-Madden.  The contest ends December 29.   Some of the entries so far:

The next one is by far my favorite.  Very clever.

Hurry to the site and show us your dream shoe.

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Alexander McQueen created quite a buzz with his statement shoes this fall.  I never really thought we would see them anywhere on the red carpet.  I was wrong.  Thursday was the launch party of the NARS 15x15 Project.  A book project of 15 portraits of celebrities to celebrate of 15 years of NARS.  In attendance were the Alexander McQueen shoes, oh yeah, and Daphne Guiness.   The party had an ecclectic group of creative people.

I think she and Lady Gaga are probably the only two people in the world who could wear them with a straight face.  Incidentally, Lady Gaga wears a couple of McQueen runway shoes in her latest music video Bad Romance.  Here are the shoes she wears.

There were more, but I lost patience after a while. I don’t …get… lady Gaga,  but this video looks like a high fashion show. Here is the video.

While I am at it, I included an old George Michael music video just for fun.

Ya gotta love Thierry Mugler.

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